Door opening and actuating mechanism



Nov. 30, 1943. A. E. ZOLLER DOOR OPENING AND ACTUATING MECHANISM NOV. 30, 1943.- ZQLLER 2,335,336

DOOR OPENING AND ACTUATING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 24, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 vvv vvvvvvvvvvVWWWWWV. 29 /a ALBERT E. Z OLL'ER Nov. 30, 1943. A. E. ZOLLE R 2,335,336

DOOR OPENING AND ACTUATING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 24, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Nov. 30, 1943. A, E, ZOLLER 2,335,336

DOOR OPENING AND ACTUATING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 24, 1940 5 ShGiBtS-Sheet' l ALBERT E. ZOLLER Nov. 30, 1943. A, E. ZOLLER I DOOR OPENING AND ACTUATING MECHANISM 5 Shets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 24, 1940 Agszmg. 20am WW J Patented Nov. 30. 1943 DOOR OPENING AND ACTUATING HANISM .MEC

Albert E. Zoller, Tiiiin, Ohio Application September 24, 19 40,*Serial No. 358,056 (Cl. ass-59) 12 Claims.

This invention relates to mechanism for opening and closing. doors and in its more'specific aspects relates to a mechanism for opening and closing sectional doors of the vertical operating.

type.

The object of this invention is to construct a door operator in which the operating mechanism is arranged in the tracks in which the door is A further object of the invention is to construct i a door operator in which an improved operating mechanism is employed and which materially reduces the number of parts employed in its assembly.

A further object of the invention is to eliminate a second track in which the door opening and closing mechanism operates and make it utilize the track in which the door is guided and travels. A still further object'of the invention is to construct a more compact door operatingmechanism.

and all variations, modifications and alterations of structure coming within the spirit and scope thereof are deemed to be included herein.-

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of my invention taken in general along the line l--l of Fig. 4.

Fig. 2 is a section view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section view taken along'the line 3-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the operating portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1 with the prime mover controls added. t

Fig.,5 is an-elevational view of a modification of the essential mechanism of the device shown in Fig. '1 with power mechanism eliminated for clarity.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the device of Fig. 5 but with, the prime mover and the controls added.

Fig. 7 is a view of the door operating drum employed in Fig. 5 and showing the surface con- Another and further object of the invention is to construct a power actuated door operator which is self contained and which utilizes for its place of operation the usual overhead or side door track.

Another and further object of the invention is to provide a door actuating mechanism in not require the cable, chain or other lifting means extended to the base of the door which simplifies both door and guide construction.

Other and further objects of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains as the description proceeds which taken in connection with the accompanying drawings sets forth a preferred embodiment thereof as well as selected modifications. Such disclosures and descriptions are however, not to be taken as limitations of the invention which;

is limited only by the appended claims and any movement.

struction thereof along with a schematic illustration of the door opening and closing cables.

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of the essential operating mechanism of still another modification of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a modification in elevational view of a control mechanism for governing the stopping of door movement when it is being either closed or opened.

Fig. 10 shows a simplified cirbuit diagramv of an appropriate motor control.

Fig. 11 shows an elevational view of the limit control switch actuators which limit the door Fig. 12.shows an elevational view of a modification incorporating an extension spring 'counterbalance.

' Fig. 13 shows a sectional detail of the base mechanism employed in the power units of the several structures.

Fig. 14 shows a plan view of a detail of the structure of Fig. 12.

Door operators or door opening and closing mechanism such as are commonly found in the art at the present time are either of the hand operated type or oi'the motor operated type. It is customary in the latter type of mechanism to install some form of circuit opening and closing device remote from the door and which may be manually operated, "usually comprising a switch that must be actuated to open the door and a second switch to close the door, holding each switch until the door is either opened'or closed. The motor'is stopped by the action'oi either completely opened or closed. The door operator mechanisms in the past have usually required a second track in which a traveller, carrier or other shuttle type device operates. This expedient has proven cumbersome and costly and to simplify matters the inventor has developed a means whereby the original door track is employed for the operator's shuttle or traveller which eliminates all the secondary track mechanism currently employed. Theapplicant applies power to a jack shaft which power is directly applied to a flexible linkage lying in the door track to thereby positively move the door to open and close same which condition does not exist in the prior art structures that rely on gravitational action to start the door around the curve of the track.

The above is embodied in a device in which I indicates a conventional sectional door preferably of the vertical operating type although any other type of door maybe employed such as sectional doors which move horizontally. Swinging doors are also contemplated within the scope of the invention. A track 2 fixed tothe frame work of the building structure is preferably arranged in pairs in whichthe door rollers 3 operate, there being one roller for each section of the door as the preferred construction. Track 2 has a portion vertical and a portion horizontal as shown in the illustration but the essential requirement for sectional doors is that the tracks have two portions at approximately right angles to each other with the two portions connected by an intermediate arcuateportion. The track is generally of the sectional shape set forth in Figures 2 and 3 whichis particularly adapted to keep the operator functioning in a path determined by the shape of the track profile.

Means have been provided causing the door to be moved along the path determined by the elevational profile'of the track. This consists initially of a motor appropriately mounted on a suitable slidable platform in the building with which the ,door is associated. Integrally associated with the motor 4 is a speed reducer 5 which is operated by the motor and from which power is taken to drive the operator; Associated with the motor for controlling same is a travel mechanism 'or limit switch 6, more specifically detailed later in the speciflcation, which determines when the motor 4 is to stop when the door 'is either openedor closed and I indicates a control box for starting, stopping and reversing the motor 4. The latter is conventional mechanism and therefore need not be set forth in detail.

.Speed reducer 5 has an ultimate shaft 8 to which are secured two sprocket gears 9 and I0. Travel mechanism 6 has a shaft lI carryinga sprocket gear I2 which is connected to' sprocket gear I by a chain C or other power transmitting mechanism, by means of which the travel device 6 is operated. g V Mountedin the forward part of the building or struc'tureis a' shaft I3 which carries three -sprock'et' 'gears14, l and I6; Sprocket gear I5 is in line-with sprocket gear 9 and is connected 'thereto'by 'm'ans of a chain/I1 or other power transmitting mechanism; concentrically mounted on'tlieshaft I3 and schematically represented is aspira'l 'counterbalancingspring I9. Shaft I3 is jo'um'alled' in a plurality of bearing brackets I9'secured to a portionof the building struc-' ture. One end of the spring I8 is stationarily fixed to one of the brackets I9 by a screw 20 secured into collar 29' fixed to a bracket I9 and the other end of the spring is secured to a collar 5 2 I carried by shaft I3. Spiral spring I8 functions as a counter-balance for the door I as will be hereinafter more specifically set forth.

At the rear end of the track 2, on a support 2a is mounted a pulley or sprocket gear 22 which is rotatably disposed in a pulley block 23 having an extension 23a slidably disposed in a bracket 24 fixed to support 2a. A tensioning spring 25 is concentrically mounted on extension 230, and

retained thereon by a conventional pin and v washer device. The spring keeps chain or other power sprocket I5 and sprocket 22 taut.

Supported in and on the track 2 is a travelin block, traveller or shuttle 21 which is provided with a pair of lugs 28 to which each end of the 'chain 26 is appropriately connected by connectors 28a and 28b, as particularly shown in Figures 1 and 4. Each track 2 is provided with a similar chain and traveling block and tensioned sprocket gears 22 as illustrated.

Each traveling block or traveller 21 is directly connected to the door I by means of a linkage mechanism 29 comprising a series of links 30 which are connected together by means of a 30 series of pins 3I. Each pin 3I carries a roller 32 which travels in track 2 in the manner shown in Figure 2. The roller 32 is of such a size as will substantially fill the space provided therefore in track 2.- A link 33 is connected to a pin 34 carried by a bracket 35 mounted on the door I and pin 34 may have a door roller 3 associated therewith operating in the track 2. As previously indicated each section of the door I is provided with a bracket or pair of brackets 36 rotatably supporting rollers 3 in the track 2. The door is provided with rollers 3 at each end thereof to simplify the operation thereof and to facilitate the raising and lowering or rather the opening and closing of the door with a minimum of eflort.

The operation of this device is effected by the reciprocation of traveling block 21 actuated by power supplied by the motor 4. The linkage 29 and all succeeding door rollers 3 follow the profile of the track -2 and enable the opening and 50 the closing of the door by tension applied directly to the door through the linkage 29 and associated rollers 32 carried thereby such that auxiliary mechanisms previously supplied have been eliminated. Assuming therefore that the door is in a closed position spring I8 will be in a tensioned condition. When traveller 21 moves to the left as observed in Figure 1 it will draw 'door I upward with it and at the same time -begin to unwind the spring I8 which counterfio balances the door I. When the door is in the open position travel mechanism 6 will stop the motor. Reversely when the door closes spring 29 will wind to counter-balance the door and I when closed timing mechanism 6 will again stop 5 motor 4. The support 2a carries a safety switch 31 on it which will stopmotor 4 when there is an excessive load beyond that required to open and close the door. Extension 230 carries a 7 gracket 23b which is spring connected to switch Figures 5 and 6 set forth a modification of the operator for opening and closing door 38. A track 39 similar in profile to track 2 support a traveler 40 which is connected to door 38 by 76 means of a linkage N that is provided with a plu-.

transmitting mechanism connecting hanger bearings 6|.

of pins 43 which rotatably support rollers 44 moving in track -39. The linkage 4| draws the door through its track upon motion thereof to the right or to the left to open and closethe same such that the door rollers 45 travel in the same path as rollers 44;

Traveler 48 is actuated from a motor, travel and control mechanism4, i'and'l' as previously described. The power mechanism is equipped with a speed reducer which is provided with an ultimate shaft 8' carrying a sprocket gear 48 which is operatively connected to a sprocket gear 41 by means of a chain 48. Sprocket 41 is secured to a shaft 49 which is rotatably supported in appropriate bearings 58 and which has mounted thereon a pair of "drums 5|. Each-drum 5| as particularly shown in Figure 7 is spirally grooved or scored as indicated at 52. Mounted at the right hand end of track 39 is a bracket 53 rotatably supporting roller orsheave 54 and affixed to a portion of the building wall 55 is asecond bracket 56 rotatably supporting a sheave or pulley wheel 51. A cable 58 is secured at its one end to traveler 48 and passes around sheave 51 thence to sheave'54 and is then led to drum 5| and secured thereto. A second cable 59 is connected to the traveler 48 and follows the horizontal portionof the track 39 thence to the drum and is secured thereto. The general idea of the two cables 58 and 59 and their mode of securing to the drum 5| is such that one of the cables will be wound on the drum 5| as the other is unwound to thereby move-the traveler 48 back and forth in the track 39 to thereby. raise and lower the door 38. Slippage of the cable on the drums 5| is prevented by reason of the fact that they are grooved as illustrated in Figure '7.

Means have been provided to counterbalance the weight of the door 38, and to this end a second shaft 60 is disposed in a substantially parallel relation to shaft 49 which is suitably mounted in Fixedly disposed on the shaft 68 are a pair of drums 62 which may be grooved in a manner similar to drum 5| as illustrated in Figure 7. Cables 63 are aifixed to drums 5| and extend to and are wound around drums 62 in-such a manner that thecables 68 are subrelatively movable part of the mechanism toeffect the counter-balancing; the spring being in a taut condition when the door is down or closed and in a relaxed condition when it is up.

A further modification of the door operator is set forth in Figure 8 which shows a door 68 actuated by atraveler 69 moving in a track I8. The traveler 69 is connected to the door 68 by linkage mechanism 92 identical with that previously described. The traveler 69 is reciprocated in the track'lll by means of an elongated screw, member 1| arranged as shown in Figure 8. The shaft is journalled in a bearing I2 carried by the track I8 and its opposite end is J'ournalled in a bearing I3 secured to a portion of the structure with which the door is associated. The shaft II is rotated by means of a motor I4 which is connected thereto by a gear train I5. The second track (not shown) in this disclosure is operated by means of a similar mechanism and supplied from the motor I4, gear I5 indicating the start of a second gear train. It will be understood that the proper gear reduction and rotational relationship between the shaft (not shown) and shaft' 'II will be established such that the proper movement will be'given to the traveler 89 and its complemental traveler (not shown). The motor is controlled by a means similar to that shown in I Figure 4. A counter-balance is intended to be 1 used in connection with this operator and may besimilar to any illustrated.

A'modifled form of motor control to stop the motor at the extreme limits of travel of the door is shown in Figure 9. Track 88 hasa traveller- --8I arranged thereon adapted to be reciprocated on the track by means "of cable or chain 82 and 83. Disposed in parallel relation to track is a rod 84 on which two stop members 85 and 86 are mounted. The stop members 85 and 85 are rigidly secured on said rod and brackets 81 and 9I may be arranged on track 80 to guide rod 84.

A switch 88, having a lever or actuator 89, is arranged, at the end of track 88 and when traveller 8| engages either of stops 85 or 86 the rod 84 is reciprocated until pin 98 throws switch lever 89 from side to side to stop the motor. Chain 82 is placed about a pulley 82a, arranged in a block.

I 4' in the event thepower unit is working against -an overload. This comprises an arm I8I spring connected to safety toggle switch I82. switch is actuated when the distance between arm I8I, adjacent limit switch 6 supported on slidable frame |86a and also mounting the power unit and the speed reducer 5, is increased whereupon the switch I82 will be actuated. The frame I I did, supporting elements 4, 5 and 6, is capable of moving in frame I88. Studs I04 are fixed in and to the slidable frame M61: and springs I83 are carried on them and act against fixed frame I86 fixedly mounted in the building. The relative movement is against springs I83 and they I are tensioned to determine the point at which switch I82 will operate to stop motor 4. This either extreme limit of travel, i. e., either open or closed. These switches operate without regard to push button controls I II or II2. Safety switches are also shown in the line to show that they will stop motor 4 on excessive overloads. I

Figure 11 shows the construction and operation of travel switch or limiting mechanism 6. The numerals applied to the basic structure in Figs. 1 and 4am applied herein. The shaft II is rotatably supported in the housing I I3 and is threaded over its entire length as shown. A pair of adjustable switch actuators I I4 and I I5 are mounted on a carrier II6 having a guide llloperating in a slot (not shown) to prevent movable carrier II6 from rotating on shaft II as. it is driven by motor 4. Since motor 4 is reversible it is evident that shaft is likewise reversible and therefore actuators H4 and H5 are adapted to open This ' switches I09 and when door I has been opened or closed. Actuators II and H5 are adiustably set on shaft II8 such that the open and closed position of door I .will coincid with the time when either of the actuators open either of the switches I00 and I I0 by being moved from one end of the'shaft H to the other end thereof.

Amodified counterbalance is shown in Figs. 12 and 14. A traveller I I9 slidably mounted in track I30 is link connected to a door I20 by a link means previously described. A power driven shaft I25 is provided, corresponding to shaft 49 carrying drums 5|, and carriesa drum I26. The door I20 is opened by cable I21 attached to the ,traveller H9 and is secured to and led over drum I26. To" close the door a second cable I32 is provided'that is connected to traveller II9, led around sheave 133, rotatably mounted in frame I34 secured to the building, and thence over sheave I3I rotatably mounted on the end of track I30, and thence over drum I26 to which it is connected. A third cable is fixed to bracket I29, secured to track I30, and'led around sheave I22, rotatably'mounted in frame I23 and thence connected to drum I28. The door is counterbalanced by spring I2I connected between sheave frame I23 and a bracket I24 fixed to the frame of i the building. Units 4, 5, 6 and I may be employed to drive shaft I25 whereby drum I26 will wind and unwind the cables to positively open and close the door I20. This type of counterbalance can be easily adapted to any of the other forms of operators shown by merely connecting it between the traveler and the building. In so doing the secondary shaft and drum in'Figures 5 and 6 could be eliminated and the mechanism of Figures 1-4 would have the spiral spring removed from shaft I3. Each of these mechanisms are deemed the full equivalent of the other. The choice of use is dependent upon the particular application of the door operator.

That which is considered new, novel and useful and which is sought to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. In a door operating mechanism; a track, said track having two portions at approximately right angles to each other, and said portions connected by an arcuate portion; a door slidably mounted relative to said track; a single traveler means reciprocably mounted in said tracks to open and close said door; a single flexible linkage means connecting said traveler means and said door; said linkage means operating within said track to draw said door through said arcuate portion and a reversible power mechanism connected to said traveler and adapted to reciprocate said traveler along said track to open and close said door.

a track in whichv said door operates; a single traveler carried by saidtrack; a single pushpull linkage connecting saidtraveler and said door; means carried by said linkage operating in said tracks to enable said linkage to .transmit force applied to said traveler along said track to said door to open and closesame and a reversible power means connected to'said single-traveler to open and close said door.

4. In adooroperator; a track having a portion vertically disposed and one portion substantially horizontally disposed; means to move and vice versa: said means including a traveller mounted in said track, a sprocket mounted on said track, a shaft rotatably mounted above said track and supporting a sprocket, a motor operatively connected to said shaft; a chain passing around said sprockets, each end of which is connected to said traveller and a counter-balancing spring on said shaft to counter-balance the weight of said door; a flexible linkage connected to said traveller at its one end and connectible to a door at-its other end, and said linkage having roller means thereon to operate in said track such that force applied to said traveller will be directly applied to said linkage substantially parallel to said track.

,5. In a door opening and closing mechanism for a building; a pair oftracks having one portion lying in a plane at an angle to another portion of the tra.cks; means to move said dobr relative to said tracks, including a traveller on each of said tracks, a motor, a shaft supporting a pair of drums, a pair of sheaves and operatively associated with said motor, one on said track and the other on said building, a pair of cables for each track, one of which connects from each of 'said travellers to each of said drums and the other of which leads from said traveller over each. of said sheaves to said drums, a second shaft parallel to said first shaft carrying a pair of drums, cables connecting each of said second pairs of drums with said first pair, and a spiral counter-balancing spring oonnectedto said sec- -planes, said track planes connected by a bent 2. A door operating mechanism; a sectional door; a track in which said door is slidably mounted. said track having two portions substantially at right'angles to each other and connected by an arcuate portion; a single reciprocate ing traveler means carried by said track to move said door relative to said track to open and close said door; means connecting said door and said reciprocating traveler means, said means comprising a single system of links so constructed and arranged as to operate in said track and which lie in the bend of said track when said door is closed and a reversible power means to reciprocate saidreciprocating traveler means said power means applied directly to said traveler portion; a traveller'movable in one plane of said track; a single linkage eonnectible to said traveler; a prime mover; a jack shaft driven by said prime mover; wheels mounted near one end of said track; power transmitting means connected to said traveler and led around said wheels and jack shaft; said traveler moving said linkage substantially axially of said track; means to control the stopping and starting of said motor; and

means to stop said motor upon; over loading said :door from the vertical to the horizontal plane portions disposed substantially at right angles to each other, said portions connected by an arcuate portion; a single reciprocating traveler means supported in said track; a linkage connected to said traveler at its one end and con nectible at its other end to the closure disposed externally of said track and supported byrollers operating in said track; said linkage lying about said arcuate portion of said track when said closure is in the closed position; areversible power means for reciprocating said traveler and means connecting said power means and said traveler such that power will be directly selectively applied to both ends of said traveler to reciprocate said linkage in said track.,

9. In a door operator; a track having a portion horizontally and a portion vertically disposed connected by an arcuate portion; a traveler arranged in said track operable in a single plane thereof; a linkage connected to said traveler and supported by rollers operating in said track; means to reciprocate said traveler and linkage along said track, which comprises a rotatable means supported adjacent one end of said shaft; a motor driven shaft; power transmitting means connecting said shafts and connected to the ends of said traveler; a counterbalance associated with said shaft; and a motor operatively connected to said power driven shaft; said linkage and traveler directing the force applied thereto axially of said track.

10. In a door operator; a track; a traveler in said track; means to move said traveler in said track in a single plane thereof, which includes; a motor; a shaft driven by said motor; a second shaft mounted adjacent the end ofthe track, wheel elements on each of said shafts and power transmitting means above each of said shafts and flexible linkage disposedadiacent said track and rollers mounted in said linkage and operatively disposed onsaid track, said linkage connectible to a door; and said traveler moving said linkage axially of said track.

11. In a door operator; a track having two angularly disposed portions; a traveler on said track operable in one of said portions; a linkage connected to said traveler and connectible tofa door, said linkage having rollers supported thereon operatively disposed in said track; a prime mover; a shaft driven by said prime mover and having a wheel thereon; a wheel mounted for rotation adjacent one end of said track; a power transmitting means disposed about said wheels and connected to opposite ends of said traveler;

and said traveler moving said roller mounte linkage axially of said track in any plane thereoi" said traveler and also connectible to a door; a

connected to opposite ends of said traveler; a

prime mover; a shaft driven by said prime mover; pulleys on said shaft, one disposed adjacent each track; pulleys supported for rotation adjacent the end of one portion of eachmf said tracks; power transmitting elements associated with said pulleys and having the ends thereof connected to opposite ends' of each of said travelers; and said travelers reciprocated along said track by said prime mover and moving said linkage as well as a door connected thereto axially of said tracks.

ALBERT E. ZOLLER. 

